The Lightbearer May 2017 - Melrose UU 1959, Thompson was asked to set Robert Frost’s poetry to music for the bicenten-nial celebration of Amherst, MA — where Frost had taught for

May 2017

Melrose Unitarian Universalist Church 70 West Emerson Street, Melrose, MA 02176-3128

781-665-7504 [email protected] www.melroseuu.org

The Lightbearer

Reflections from Rev. Anita “Creativity is piercing the mundane to find the marvelous.” Bill Moyers

We at MUUC are at a most interesting time. (Not a curse, but an invitation).

On the one hand, we are beginning to see the end of the church year, readying ourselves for the summer vacation. Annual Reports are in. Nominating Committee is closing in on nominations for our open positions. The Ministerial Search Committee slate is being crafted as you read this. We will be honoring those who have served, and welcoming those coming onto new positions at our Annual Meeting May 16. A very ordinary and orderly transfer of lay leadership as some step down so others can have a turn.

And yet, under the appearance of the ordinary and the mundane, something new is happening.

“Creativity is piercing the mundane to find the marvelous,” says Bill Moyers. I think we are at that moment.

We are poised for exploration. We are equipped with curiosity. If we can hold that state of being as our defining state, I am convinced that indeed creativity will pierce through to the marvelous.

The Transition Team, listening to and studying your responses at the house meetings, has noted that while most house meetings expressed a valuing of and an interest in diversity, what that meant or how to get there was a mystery. So they have proposed a year of exploration – exploring what diversity means to MUUC, from which can grow creative ideas of how to do what we want to do. Rather than jumping immediately to solutions (which may be quick fixes, but not substantive), the Board and the Council have affirmed this year of exploration as a congregation wide, all hands on deck experience.

Concurrently, the Board has approved a year of exploration and consideration of how we do religious education here at MUUC, and how it is, or isn’t working for us. An RE Transition Team will work with Anne, much as my Transition Team has worked with me, and all of us will work in tandem.

So we are poised for a year of exploration on every level of our common life- the way we work together, play together, learn together, worship together, and grow together as individuals and as a profound and covenanted spiritual community. We will regularly be asking ourselves who we might be missing.

It may sometimes feel uncomfortable, nudging us into unfamiliar places. Creativity is like that. The marvelous can be like that too, requiring us to take the brave steps to cross thresholds into unexplored territory.

We are launching this bold initiative when MUUC is slowing down for vacation. I hope that it is a germinating time for thinking about what all this means for you and our shared community, and time to dream a little. Come to Annual Meeting prepared for curiosity- let it be a conversation of exploration and creativity. Faithfully yours, Rev. Anita

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Music Notes Tara Tresner-Kirsch, Music Director

This March/April have been a great time for music at MUUC. We’ve had so much participation from various congregants; thank you all! Most re-cently, huge thanks to Paul Rutz, our brass group and the choir for their hard work putting together our extra-special Easter music. And also thanks to all the kids who so spon-taneously, willingly, and aptly helped lead our joyful Easter songs — that was a ton of fun! In other MUUC music news, I was recently accepted into the Music Leadership Program that is jointly run by the UUMN (UU Musicians’ Network) and UUA. It is a 3-year program that consists of many compo-nents including year-round reflection and assign-ments. I will begin, however, by meeting my cohort and organizers for a couple of days before the annu-al UUMN conference (and completing pre-conference assignments). After our initial meet-up and dinner, we will have in-person sessions including required attendance at this year’s conference’s Professional Development Day. Even before the recent controversies at the UUA, the Musicians’ Network had invited Rev. Na-talie Fenimore to lead a day titled “Unitarian Univer-salist History, Theology - and Race.” I’m excited to participate in this and the many other sessions scheduled for this year. It is always energizing to be among my peers in these educational settings and I look forward to bringing what I learn back to you next Fall. I’m so grateful to this congregation and its leadership for their continued support of these educational opportu-nities. Thank you.

In Song,

Tara

Music does a lot of things for a lot of people. It’s transporting, for sure. It can take you right back, years back to the very moment certain things happened in your life. It’s uplifting, it’s encourag-ing, it’s strengthening. -Aretha Franklin

About the Music: “The Road Not Taken” Music by Randall Thompson This month the choir will be singing “The Road Not Taken” by request of Margaret Grometstein who bid and won a choir selection of her choice at the auc-tion last spring. In 1959, Thompson was asked to set Robert Frost’s poetry to music for the bicenten-nial celebration of Amherst, MA — where Frost had taught for years at Amherst College. The town had originally requested that their commission be a set-ting of the “The Gift Outright,” but Thompson asked that he be allowed to choose different poems. The resulting work Frostiana: Seven Country Songs consists of seven poems set in movements that re-flect a nostalgic view of life in rural New England. “The Road Not Taken” is the first poem. Frost is well-known to have been skeptical of having his poetry set to music and Thompson’s work takes great care to make sure his words are clearly discernible. Thompson also has respected the natural rhythm of spoken poetry with beautiful results. Robert Frost himself attended the premiere performance and is reported to have loved Thomp-son’s settings. Supposedly at the conclusion of the whole work - the conclusion of “Choose Something Like a Star” - he applauded wildly, shouting “Sing it again!” We hope you will enjoy it too. MUUC Music Calendar Every Week: Sunday 9:00 a.m. - Adult Choir (unless otherwise noted) in Sanctuary Sunday April 30th: Adult Choir will be basses & tenors only (Women’s Retreat weekend) Sunday May 7th: 9:30 a.m. - Morning Song, No Choir Sunday May 14th: Mother’s Day - “The Road Not Taken” Sunday June 4th: 9:30 a.m. - Morning Song, No Choir

To the Congregation, Today I am finishing up some sample sessions plans to lead with young and/or all ages as a way to begin a journey of discovery. What might begin as themes of "we are all unique," move from "how are we unique?" to "I am unique" to "you are unique" and onward. There is something incomplete about my own train of thought. When I get to this point of my reflection, preparation and creation of appropriate and engagement session plans, inevitably I return -- and return again -- to the beginning that I love so much and will always forget. That beginning is wondering. We hear about "wondering questions" in the context of Spirit Play. When we "do" spirit play, a storyteller conveys a complex story in a manner that children can follow. The story may be about the origins of ideas and beliefs. The story may be about our relationship with our earth. The story may be about decisions that ordinary and powerful people make throughout history and people's responses to that. At the end of any spirit play story, the storyteller offers several "wondering questions," to be heard but not discussed. Our youngest spirit play children then choose the way they will work. For the child, what it means to work or play is less important than the questions they bring to their child tasks. After the story but before the work, the "wondering questions" offer children language that meets them at their individual level of capacity to understand complexities we call life. I wonder why the King did that? I wonder why only one person spoke up? I wonder who you would want to be in this story? I wonder why people have ideas that are unfair? I wonder where people get their ideas from? I wonder what you would do if you were asked to lead others? What is significant about wondering questions is that they presume that any person must engage in their own process of making meaning of what is not fully understood. Perhaps we can ask some open-ended questions of each other, the adults. To ask open-ended questions, it is important to frame our circles of listening, sharing, and learning in a man-ner that is truly collaborative. Collaboration is when we enhance the capacity of one another by the way we participate. Here are some of my own wondering questions: I wonder if my story of suffering affects my location in our faith conversation? I wonder if there are stories of exclusion in my community that I am not yet aware? I wonder where my ideas about white supremacy, racism, or oppression have impacted my life choices? I wonder how I can prepare myself to engaging in conversations with non-defensiveness and curiosity. On the journey with you, Anne

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Religious Education (RE) News Anne Principe Interim Director of Religious Education

It is with great pride that I share with you the news that you, I and our congregation increased our pledge commitments by 17% over last year. Many people increased their pledge commitments sig-nificantly. There were eleven new pledge units. Also, many people responded to the call from the pulpit to close our gap. You will see that even with this increase, our proposed budget still falls short by $22,000. It is very unusual for this church to propose to you a budget like this. Your Finance Committee and your Board have discussed this proposal, and feel that it is important to fully fund the work of the church for next year ($279,816 in expenses). The deficit could be closed by withdrawing more from the Endowment funds; however a 2% draw will give the funds a better chance to continue to grow. If you did not attend the April 23

rd Finance Forum, I hope that you will share any questions that you

have about this we me by e-mail or phone or at church. The Board is hoping that all members will have had time to understand this proposed budget before it is presented to the Congregation for a vote at the annual meeting on May 16, 2017. The proposed budget for fiscal year July 1, 2017 - June 30, 2018 is as follows: Income: Pledges & Plate: $165,500. (64%)

Endowment Draw 30,015. (12%) (2% of the Endowments funds) Fundraising 16,030. ( 6%) Use of Building 46,125. (18%) Total Income: $257,670. (100%) Expenses: Personnel $193,175.(69%) Administrative 13,320.( 5%) Property 47,208.(17%) UUA Dues & classes 11,068.( 4%) R/E & Programs 15,045.( 5%) Total Expenses: $279,816. (100%) Deficit $( 22,146.) * *Note, if cash falls below a fiscally responsible level, the Finance Committee will need to request an additional draw from the Endowment. In Fellowship, Wendy Mastronardi Finance Chair

News from the Finance Committee

Please join the book discussion: The Third Reconstruction: How a Moral Movement Is Overcoming the Politics of Division and Fear by Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II. This discussion will be held on Monday, May 1st in the Church Parlor from 7:30 pm -9 pm.

Immigrant Learning Center is the recipient of May’s Collections. The Immigrant Learning Center is a non-

profit free school that teaches English lessons, computer use, citizenship, business for would-be entrepre-

neurs, and has a drama class where students write and act in their own plays. The school’s philosophy is

based on the premise that English is the vehicle of opportunity for new Americans in order to attain econom-

ic and social stability. Therefore, classes are very intensive and use an immersion approach. The ILC offers

immigrants and refugees the means to gain higher education, employment and U.S. citizenship. For more

information or if you would like to donate to them directly: http://www.ilctr.org/

The recipients of the 2016-2017 Giving Beyond Our Walls Program are:

September– UUSC/UUA Refugee Crisis Fund February– Community Legal Services and October- Melrose Alliance Against Violence (MAAV) Counseling November- Bread of Life March– Change is Simple December– Melrose Emergency Fund April– Homes For Our Troops Christmas Eve– Minister’s Discretionary Fund May– Immigrant Learning Center January- Housing Families June- UU Ministry Bethany House

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Nine years ago the MUUC Board proposed an initiative titled "Giving Beyond Our Walls." By donating half of our non-pledge plate offerings, we have supported the work of many worthy causes in our greater community.

Giving Beyond Our Walls

Social Justice Corner All Church Read Book Discussion

Monday, May 1

Please join the GreenSactuary Committee for the second film in our Environmental Justice film series on Saturday May 20th at 7:00 pm in the Church Parlor. PLAY AGAIN is a family friendly film. One generation from now most people in the U.S. will have spent more time in the virtual world than in nature. But what are we missing when we are behind screens? And how will this impact our children, our society, and eventually, our planet? At a time when children play more behind screens than outside, PLAY AGAIN explores the changing balance between the vir-tual and natural worlds. This moving and humorous documentary follows six teenagers who, like the “average American child,” spend five to fifteen hours a day behind screens.PLAY AGAIN unplugs these teens and takes them on

their first wilderness adventure – no electricity, no cell phone coverage, no virtual reality. Save the date for our final film on June 17th at 7:00pm: JUST EAT IT. All films are free and open to the public; invite a neighbor or friend. Green Sanctuary - May Calendar: Saturday May 6: 9 am to Noon Ell Pond Green and Clean Day In collaboration with the Ell Pond Improvement Council, the Green Sanctuary Committee invites you to help clean up litter around the pond, remove invasive plants and repair the fencing that pro-tects plants along the shoreline. Bring your own gloves. All ages welcome; young children must be accompanied by an adult. Meet behind the Memorial Knoll, across from the Middle School. Saturday May 13: Stop by the Green Sanctuary Table at Healthy Melrose Family Wellness and Fitness Fair, 10 am – 1:30 pm At the Melrose Athletic Complex on the Lynn Fells Parkway. See more info at http://www.healthymelrose.com/ or check out their Facebook page. Saturday May 20: Join us for our spring time walk in the Middlesex Fells, rescheduled from April 1. We will meet at the church at 1:30 and carpool over to parking near Jerry Jingle Park. We’ve adopted the Crystal Springs Trail and are responsible for basic maintenance., including removing litter and clearing smaller obstructions from the trail. All Trail Adopters are responsible for their own safety and are required to sign a Liability Waiver Form. Parents or guardians must sign for children under age 18.

Green Sanctuary

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Ell Pond Green & Clean Day

Sat. May 6th

9am – noon

Memorial knoll shoreline*

Tree and shrub planting Invasive Plant Removal Litter Cleanup Riparian fencing

Refreshments and Pizza Bring Work Gloves and Yard Tools

Sponsored by the Ell Pond Improvement Council, Inc. (781 526 7383) with support from Melrose Unitarian Church and Mother’s Pizza. *Across from the middle school, around back by the pond. Rain Date Sunday May 7.

The Importance of Denominational Affairs for UU Congregations

This past weekend Reverend Anita and I and several other MUUC members attended the NE Re-gional Assembly and UUA presidential forum. It was an inspiring collection of over 350 UUs from around New England who came together to meet and hear the three candidates for our UUA presi-dency as well as attend the worship service, workshops and community sing. The forum will be available online and I will post information when that occurs so you can see and hear our talented and dedicated candidates. As we gathered it was a reminder of the phrase “stronger together”. While we in Melrose can drive in multiple directions and find another UU church almost next door, this is not true in much of the country or even in northern New England. In some areas in the south you might drive up to two hours to find a UU church. We are truly blessed by our riches. The Assembly gave attendees a chance to renew their enthusiasm during worship and singing and during workshops share what is happening in their congregations and hear suggestions on new ideas to try. Near a ski area where folks are skiing on Sunday morning? Hold a Sunday evening service. I attended the Congregational Relevance workshop and some of the questions we ex-plored were “What in your congregation supports people to be better UUs tomorrow than they are today?” and “How is your church adapting in light of contemporary times”? We at MUUC have ex-perienced an increase in visitors and new members since the fall – this is true for many other UU churches across the country who since the election have become a new home for individuals seek-ing a safe (and sane) community for themselves and their families. As we begin our search for a new minister we will be working with the UUA and Region and talking with other congregations who have recently experienced a search. My “second” church, the UU Fellowship of Falmouth has just finished their search and it is interesting to hear about and learn from their journey--another extension of the “interconnected web”. While we at the MUUC have many talents and wonderful programs it is always important to explore ideas from a variety of sources – outside of our walls. You will find more general information about our Region and its resources at: http://www.uua.org/new-england

In fellowship, Nancy Nichols Denominational Affairs

Denominational Affairs Corner

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Fellowship News

The Fellowship Committee happily welcomed seven new members at a celebration last month. Our commitment to greeting and welcoming people who come in our doors on Sunday mornings is a top priority for the Committee, and we want to extend an invitation to everyone in the congregation to do the same. How do you welcome a newcomer? With a little help from WikiHow, below you will find step-by-step instructions. 1. Say "welcome" with a happy smile. Try to make them feel comfortable and right at home as if they were being greeted by one of their best friends. 2. Tell them your name. Try saying, "Hi, I'm (your name), what's yours?". This will show the person that you care

about getting to know them and that you're personable. Try saying simply, "Hey, my name is (your name)," if the person looks shy or unwilling to

surrender much information. You certainly don't want to pressure them or make them nerv- ous by forcing them to speak.

3. Introduce yourself. Don't be shy to introduce yourself. Be friendly and be yourself. Talk about church, introduce them to other people, and give a little history as to why you are there as well. Make them comfortable with you! 4. Ask questions to get to know them. If the person seems willing to talk and make polite conver-sation, this is the way to go. "What brought you to MUUC?" is a good place to start. 5. Offer to show them around the church, particularly the classrooms if they have children. Find a person from the Fellowship Committee to tell them about our programs and events. Introduce them to the minister. 6. Invite them to come back next Sunday. Let them know you're glad they came and invite them to come back. Let's welcome the stranger and make them our friends! Save the Date for the annual Father's Day Pancake Brunch on Sunday, June 18

th at 10:30am.

Melrose Unitarian Universalist Church 70 West Emerson Street Melrose, Massachusetts 02176-3128 Address Service Requested Please note: If you do not wish to receive this newsletter, please let us know.

The Lightbearer Published monthly.

DATED MATERIAL

NOTICE TO THE CONGREGATION

The 2017 Annual Meeting of the Melrose Unitarian Universalist Church

will be held on Tuesday, May 16, 2017

7:30 pm in the Sanctuary

All are welcome to attend Please Note: Only Voting Members of the church may vote at the Annual Meeting.